In recent years, Hong Kong has experienced firsthand the growing force of nature—record-breaking typhoons, flash floods, and extreme heat. These are no longer rare occurrences; they are warnings. Behind every weather alert is a deeper alarm: climate change is real, and it is accelerating.
Yet, in many parts of the world, the response remains troubling. From conspiracy theories during the Covid-19 pandemic to outright denial of climate science, we are witnessing a disturbing pattern. Powerful voices—especially from political extremes—promote the idea that humanity is innocent, that climate change is just another “natural cycle,” and that shadowy powers are manipulating us for political gain. Such narratives are not only misleading; they are dangerous.
The pandemic was, in many ways, a dress rehearsal for the deeper crisis of our times: the conflict between human pride and the limits of creation. Covid-19 exposed how vulnerable we are, not only physically but socially and spiritually. It revealed how quickly fear and misinformation can spread, and how conspiracy theories—built on suspicion, denial, and false logic—can paralyse meaningful action.
Today, we’re seeing these patterns play out in the issue of climate change. Some people dismiss it as a hoax, while others acknowledge the changes but refuse to accept human responsibility. Unfortunately, no matter how you look at it, the result tends to be the same: a sense of apathy, a lack of action, and a kind of moral blindness that holds us back from making positive changes.
As Christians, we cannot stand by in silence. Our faith teaches that creation is a gift from God, entrusted to us not for exploitation, but for stewardship. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis reminds us that the Earth “is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” His words are not hyperbole; they are a cry for ecological conversion—a change not only in our actions but in our hearts.
We cannot afford to be naïve or passive. Denial, whether explicit or disguised as false optimism, does not absolve us of responsibility. It is a form of escapism that ignores the suffering of the poor, the displacement of communities, and the irreversible damage to our common home. The Church has a duty to speak out and to prepare her people—spiritually, socially, and even physically—for the challenges that lie ahead.
Preparedness is not only about emergency plans or infrastructure (though those are crucial); it is also about educating our communities, challenging consumerist habits, rethinking our economic priorities, and forming a generation that sees creation as sacred.
When the next storm arrives—and it will—what might it reveal about who we are? Will we be a community characterised by responsibility and compassion, or one that’s quick to blame and deny? As people who care for God’s creation, let’s work toward building a different future, caring for our surroundings. This isn’t just about caring for the environment. It’s a vital part of the gospel’s message.
Josekutty Mathew, CMF.
